Find the Right Birth Control For You

Almost a quarter of women switch contraceptives at least once a year. Some go for months in between without using any birth control at all, leaving themselves vulnerable to pregnancy. “That’s why it’s crucial to find a method that really works for you—one you can stick with,” says ob-gyn David Plourd, M.D. Use this quiz to narrow down your choices, then call your doctor.

Are you monogamous?

Do you have sex at least once a week?

CONDOMS

Use condoms every time you have sex to help block STDs. “But they are only 85 percent effective against pregnancy, so I suggest you also use another method,” says Dr. Plourd.

Do you often forget your birth control?

Have you had a baby?

Do you want a baby in the next three to five years?

THE PILL

Oral contraceptives are more than 99 percent effective if you never miss a dose—92 percent if you slip up. Don’t like using hormones? See Sponge and IUD.

THE SPONGE

It’s just 84 to 91 percent effective (68 percent if you have had a baby). So choose it for on-the-spot protection only if an unplanned pregnancy wouldn’t be devastating, says Dr. Plourd.

PATCH, RING & SHOT

Three methods that can reduce birth control slipups: The Patch, which you replace weekly, is 92 to 99 percent effective; same goes for the NuvaRing (right), which you insert in your vagina and replace monthly; the DepoProvera shot, which you get from your M.D. four times a year, is 97 percent effective.

IUD & IMPLANT

The nonhormonal ParaGard IUD lasts 10 years; the hormone-releasing Mirena IUD (right), five; Implanon, a hormonal rod placed under the skin, three. All are more than 99 percent effective.

Are you monogamous?

Do you have sex at least once a week?

CONDOMS

Use condoms every time you have sex to help block STDs. “But they are only 85 percent effective against pregnancy, so I suggest you also use another method,” says Dr. Plourd.

Do you often forget your birth control?

Have you had a baby?

Do you want a baby in the next three to five years?

THE PILL

Oral contraceptives are more than 99 percent effective if you never miss a dose—92 percent if you slip up. Don’t like using hormones? See Sponge and IUD.

THE SPONGE

It’s just 84 to 91 percent effective (68 percent if you have had a baby). So choose it for on-the-spot protection only if an unplanned pregnancy wouldn’t be devastating, says Dr. Plourd.

PATCH, RING & SHOT

Three methods that can reduce birth control slipups: The Patch, which you replace weekly, is 92 to 99 percent effective; same goes for the NuvaRing (right), which you insert in your vagina and replace monthly; the DepoProvera shot, which you get from your M.D. four times a year, is 97 percent effective.

IUD & IMPLANT

The nonhormonal ParaGard IUD lasts 10 years; the hormone-releasing Mirena IUD (right), five; Implanon, a hormonal rod placed under the skin, three. All are more than 99 percent effective.